Stagiaire summary: Riders given a chance of a lifetime

Stagiaire summary: Riders given a chance of a lifetime

As the second part of the season begins in earnest, with a series of short stages races across Europe, professional teams have started to name their stagiaire, or trainee, riders who will ride with them for the remainder of the season. These riders are given the opportunity to prove their worth with a potential contract for the following season often awarded to those who show their talent.

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This year some 90 stagiaires have been registered with the International Cycling Union (UCI). These riders range from an age of just 18 through to 26. While most hail from traditional cycling nations such as France, Belgium and Italy, it also includes the riders from the United States of America, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

Perhaps the biggest name on the list is America’s Taylor Phinney, who has graduated to the Radioshack squad from the Under 23 Trek-Livestrong squad with Kiwi duo Clinton Avery and Jesse Sergeant. With the trio on loan to its ProTour squad, Trek-Livestrong has given cyclo-cross rider Joseph Dombrowski a stagiaire place for the remainder of the season.

Other Anglophones given a stagiaire place include Australia’s William Clarke, who has been released from his Praties obligations to ride with AG2R La Mondiale, and Ireland’s Sam Bennett who will join Française des Jeux. Another American in the form of Cole House will join BMC Racing Team for his stagiaire role.

Cervelo Test Team has gathered its two riders from less common cycling nations. It will have Swedish rider Alexander Wetterhall, who won a Ringerike GP stage this season, and Eritea cyclist Daniel Teklehaymanot fill its stagiaire roles. Teklehaymanot has had a strong season, winning a stage at Coupe des nations Ville Saguenay, and getting results in the GP du Portugal, Berner Rundfahrt and Tour de Franche Comte Cycliste.

Below is a comprehensive list of all 90 stagiaires sorted by level of team – ProTour, Professional Continental and Continental.